Mago Machaev defends title against Gjoni Palokaj in Hannover at OKTAGON 88

Surging phenom, Mago Machaev (17-2, 1NC), will put his gold on the line for the first time against hometown favourite, Gjoni Palokaj (13-3), at OKTAGON 88 on Saturday, May 16. Zag Arena will host this intriguing showdown that guarantees to be one of the highest quality bouts the promotion will stage this year.

Machaev arrived in OKTAGON during 2024 to compete in the €1 million Tipsport Gamechanger tournament but has since moved down to his natural weight class of featherweight. In front of a world record breaking MMA attendance of 60,000 fans in Deutsche Bank Park, the Austrian defeated James Hendin before stopping Wanderley Junior in Hannover last September to secure a shot at the belt. To raise the then-vacant strap, Machaev knocked out Niko Samsonidse in less than two minutes at OKTAGON 83 which proved he is the man to beat in the division. ‘The Beast’ has recently developed a killer instinct to start finishing his adversaries and he will be in no way intimidated to defend the championship in his opponent’s backyard.

Palokaj is currently riding a very impressive eight-fight winning streak and has been utterly dominant so far in OKTAGON. The Hannover native, who trains out of Fight School Hannover, has bested the likes of Jakub Batfalský and James Hendin in the organisation while also remains the only man to have defeated young UFC star, Islam Dulatov. Palokaj has displayed an incredibly well-rounded skillset to date in his career and is intent on making the most of the opportunity of a lifetime to claim the title in his hometown.

“Gjoni is coming off a good win streak so I am excited to test this guy,” states Machaev. “I hope the crowd is excited as I am going to leave it all out there! It’s going to be a short fight – I will get this done in the first round!”

“This is a great opportunity for me to fight in my hometown for the title,” says Palokaj. “I know people are underestimating me but after the first round they will see how strong I am. I will drag him into deep waters. In Hannover, it will be ‘And New’! I will be the first Albanian champion in OKTAGON history.”

Elsewhere on the card, rising talent known as ‘The German Tarzan’, Hugo Vach (7-1), will compete and former Glory kickboxer, Arian Sadiković (2-0), continues his transition to MMA.